The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond XXXI

Valentina Pratginestós Valcárcel
Dawn Austin, Lis Van Meer, Teachers
American School of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
Courage. It’s an easy word to say, but a hard thing to do. Courage is being
able to do something, not letting fear control you. Showing courage requires
bravery and confidence. Courage is being motivated to do something from
your heart, something you love, to do it with determination, and no regrets.
Courage is taking a step forward to the unknown.
Dry leaves fell from the trees that cold autumn day, and with them, my
confidence. As I walked out the door, my head was still hanging back wanting
to stay, but my legs were pushing me forward, every step was a step closer to my
dread, but there was no going back now. My head started spinning, and my eyes
looked back with regret as I saw the stage, with the DJ controller on it, my family
waiting, and my teacher looking straight at me. That’s when I realized with
horror, I had to perform my DJ session, and even worse. In front of strangers.
I looked over to my partner. He had a smile from ear to ear. His body was
dancing to the music he played while looking over to the spectators, fearlessly,
as if nothing was wrong. I started to ask myself, how can he have the courage
to stand up and DJ like nothing, in front of probably two hundred people
passing by?
My teacher warned me that I had to perform in five minutes, but I couldn’t.
I wasn’t ready to do this. I really wanted to go up there and show the world
my talents, but I remembered what I once said when I was nine years old,
You can’t be a DJ Valentina, you’re too young, and you’re a girl. DJs are boys,
people would think you are just a dumb little girl pretending to be something
you will never get to be. So don’t even try to do it, it’s not meant to be. My eyes
watered just at the thought of my own words: You can’t be a DJ Valentina. It’s
just not meant to be. My legs were trembling as I stepped forward.
My body moved forward with decision, looking straight to the DJ table. I
started to panic. What would they think of me? What if I do it wrong? What
if… nobody likes it?
“Valentina, change places with your partner.”
“Already?!” I screamed, my voice was shaky, my eyes watered, and I was out
of breath. Why should I be scared to do something I’m already good at? I
asked myself. I was doing something I like, and my whole family was there to
encourage me, but I couldn’t find a way to convince myself that I could do it.
Facing that public meant I couldn’t. But just like before my feet uncontrollably
“A smile ran across
my face; I had done
the impossible.”
took a step and another. I closed my eyes. Hours of work and even more of
dreaming build up to this moment. My eyes looked back at my parents, who
were moving their hands, pointing to the DJ table, making me move forward
in agreement. I shook my head as I went forward, but quickly ran back to
them. “I can’t do this,” I said nervously.
“Valentina,” said my dad, “don’t worry about these people, just concentrate on
what you are doing. The fact that you had once said that you can’t DJ because
you’re too young and a girl can’t stop you from actually doing it! Maybe no
one has ever seen a twelve-year-old DJ, but that’s why they’ll like it! You like
doing DJ right? Well, go up there and show all of these people who
is DJ Valentina and what she’s capable of!”
“I can do it!” I screamed with joy. I put my headphones on and started
mixing songs, the feeling of every beat, of every melody, made me start
dancing! Everyone was looking at me, but they weren’t judging me, they were
smiling at me, and cheering me on! All of those bad thoughts disappeared
as the music boomed louder and louder. A smile ran across my face; I had
done the impossible. I had faced my fear, but not only that, I had the courage
to DJ in front of all of these people! In that moment I realized that if that
nine-year-old me hadn’t said that I couldn’t DJ, I wouldn’t have had the guts
to contradict myself. I looked back at my old self and said, “Don’t worry
Valentina, you’re an awesome girl and nothing in the world will stop you
from doing what you want. With courage, you can achieve anything in life!
You’re totally wrong, Valentina! You are a DJ! And this won’t be your last time
proving it!”
The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond
Volume XXXI
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